🥬🥩 Weight Watchers Ground Beef and Chopped Cabbage Skillet
A Simple, Savory One-Pan Dinner That’s Light, Filling & Family-Friendly
This Weight Watchers Ground Beef and Chopped Cabbage recipe is an easy one-pan meal that’s packed with savory ground beef, tender cabbage, onions, and simple seasonings.
It’s budget-friendly, filling, and perfect for busy weeknights when you want a comforting dinner without a lot of ingredients or complicated preparation. The cabbage cooks down beautifully with the seasoned beef, creating a hearty skillet meal with plenty of flavor.
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Weight Watchers-friendly
One-pan meal
Budget-friendly
High in protein
Packed with vegetables
Low in carbohydrates
Quick and easy
Family-friendly
Excellent for meal prep
Great for busy weeknights
📋 Recipe Information
Course: Main Course, Dinner
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6
Difficulty: Easy
🛒 Ingredients
1 pound 93% lean ground beef
1 medium head green cabbage, chopped
1 medium yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ cup low-sodium beef broth
🍳 Equipment Needed
Large deep skillet or Dutch oven
Wooden spoon
Cutting board
Sharp knife
Measuring spoons
👩🍳 How to Make Weight Watchers Ground Beef and Chopped Cabbage
Step 1: Brown the Beef
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the lean ground beef and cook for approximately 5–7 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon.
Cook until browned and no longer pink.
If there is a significant amount of excess grease, drain it.
🧅 Step 2: Add the Onion & Garlic
Add the diced onion to the skillet.
Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion begins to soften.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30–60 seconds, just until fragrant.
🥬 Step 3: Add the Cabbage
Add the chopped cabbage to the skillet.
It may look like a lot at first, but don’t worry—the cabbage will shrink substantially as it cooks.
Stir everything together.
🍅 Step 4: Add the Tomatoes & Seasonings
Add:
Diced tomatoes
Worcestershire sauce
Smoked paprika
Onion powder
Garlic powder
Salt
Black pepper
Beef broth
Stir thoroughly to combine.
🕐 Step 5: Simmer
Reduce the heat to medium-low.
Cover and simmer for approximately 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Cook until the cabbage is tender but still has a little texture.
For softer cabbage, cook an additional 5 minutes.
✨ Step 6: Taste & Adjust
Taste the skillet and adjust the seasonings as desired.
For extra savory flavor, add another small splash of Worcestershire sauce.
For a little heat, add red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
🍽️ Step 7: Serve
Spoon the hot ground beef and cabbage into bowls.
Serve immediately.
For an extra finishing touch, sprinkle each serving with fresh parsley or a small amount of reduced-fat shredded cheddar.
💡 My Best Tips for Perfect Ground Beef & Cabbage
Use Lean Ground Beef
93% lean ground beef provides plenty of beef flavor while keeping the dish lighter.
Chop the Cabbage Evenly
Try to cut the cabbage into similar-sized pieces so it cooks at roughly the same rate.
Don’t Rush the Cabbage
Letting the cabbage simmer gently allows it to absorb all the savory beef and tomato flavors.
Make It Spicy
A little hot sauce, crushed red pepper, or cayenne transforms this simple skillet into a spicy comfort-food dinner.
🌟 Delicious Variations
Cheeseburger Cabbage Skillet
Stir in ½ cup reduced-fat cheddar cheese during the final few minutes of cooking.
Taco Cabbage Skillet
Replace the seasonings with a packet of reduced-sodium taco seasoning and top with salsa and light cheese.
Italian Beef & Cabbage
Replace the smoked paprika with Italian seasoning and add a little Parmesan before serving.
Asian-Inspired Beef & Cabbage
Replace the Worcestershire sauce with low-sodium soy sauce and add a small amount of grated ginger.
Extra-Vegetable Version
Add sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, or shredded carrots.
🥗 What to Serve With It
This skillet is filling enough to serve on its own.
For a complete Weight Watchers-friendly meal, pair it with:
Green salad
Roasted broccoli
Steamed green beans
Cauliflower rice
Roasted carrots
Fresh fruit
Light dinner roll
🥡 Storage Instructions
Refrigerator
Allow leftovers to cool before transferring them to airtight containers.
Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Freezer
Cool completely and portion into freezer-safe containers.
Freeze for up to 2–3 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat individual portions in the microwave in 60–90 second intervals, stirring between intervals.
For larger portions, warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat.
Add a splash of broth if the cabbage has dried out.
📊 Nutrition Information
Approximate per serving, based on 6 servings:
Calories: 280
Protein: 23g
Fat: 15g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 5g
Net Carbs: 13g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Sodium: 560mg
Nutrition information is approximate and will vary depending on the ground beef, tomatoes, broth, and seasonings used.
Weight Watchers Points: The exact Points value depends on your current WW plan and the specific brands and quantities used. Enter the ingredients into your WW recipe builder for the most accurate calculation.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use ground turkey instead?
Yes. Lean ground turkey makes an excellent lighter substitute for ground beef.
Can I use red cabbage?
Absolutely. Red cabbage will work, although it will give the finished dish a different color and slightly different flavor.
Can I leave out the tomatoes?
Yes. Replace the tomato liquid with additional beef broth and adjust the seasoning to taste.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. This skillet reheats very well, making it excellent for meal prep.
Can I add cheese?
Absolutely. Reduced-fat cheddar, mozzarella, or Parmesan can be added near the end of cooking.
Is this recipe low carb?
Yes. Cabbage is relatively low in carbohydrates, and this recipe contains no pasta, rice, or potatoes. The tomatoes contribute some carbohydrates.
How do I make it spicier?
Add crushed red pepper, cayenne, jalapeños, or your favorite hot sauce.
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes, although the stovetop version is faster and gives you better control over the cabbage texture. If using a slow cooker, brown the beef first and cook the combined ingredients on LOW until the cabbage is tender.
❤️ Final Thoughts
This Weight Watchers Ground Beef and Chopped Cabbage Skillet is proof that healthy, budget-friendly dinners don’t have to be boring.
Lean ground beef, tender cabbage, tomatoes, onion, garlic, and savory seasonings come together in one skillet for a comforting meal that’s easy to prepare and perfect for leftovers.